Eye Care
What is Dry Eye?
Our eyes need both the water and the oil in our tears to stay healthy and comfortable. When the natural tear composition of our eyes is disrupted, it causes them to feel dry and irritated. Many people suffer from dry eye, but the most common forms affect both the watery and oily layers.
Vanguard Pharmacy has a variety of products available to soothe its symptoms and help you feel more comfortable; but if you’re unsure which type of dry eye you have, choose a drop that treats both layers like Systane® Complete. Systane is the #1 Doctor & Pharmacist recommended brand in the Dry Eyes category in Canada.
Here are some of the most common dry eye symptoms: Dryness, Scratchy sensation, Stinging, Burning, Excess tearing, Blurred vision, Pain, Redness.
Advanced dry eye relief.
Gel drops and ointments are specifically designed to provide lasting relief from more advanced symptoms. Their thicker formulations lubricate the eye’s surface, protecting it from further damage.
While gels and ointments provide added lubrication, some are designed for nighttime use as they can cause some blur or significant visual impairment. Ensure you follow the label closely if you need to see clearly after application.
A naturally sourced, clinically proven lubricant for your dry eyes.
When choosing care for your dry eyes, it's important to consider the ingredients in your eye drops. hydraSense® Eye Drops contain a naturally sourced lubricant called sodium hyaluronate. This lubricant is found naturally in your body wherever lubrication is needed such as in the eyes.
Sodium Hyaluronate possesses properties that allow it to work as an effective lubricant for long-lasting relief of dry eye symptoms:
- Effectively attracts and retains hydration on the eyes
- Helps the eyes stay moist
- Increase the stability of tears
Understanding the preservatives in eye drop medication.
There are different types of preservatives, and some are known to exasperate dry eye symptoms.
Drops that contain the non-irritating preservative Polyquad® – like Systane® Complete – are safe for dry eye sufferers.
Other preservative free drops like Systane® Ultra and Systane® Ultra Hydration are generally recommended if you apply artificial tears more than six times a day, or if you have moderate to severe dry eye.
Understanding when to choose a preservative free eye drop medication.
Preservative free eye drops are generally recommended if you apply artificial tears 4-6 times a day.
Systane® Preservative Free formulas provide dry eye relief from environmental factors: screen time, air quality, and/or seasonal issues (low humidity and high winds).
Systane® Ultra Preservative Free with HP-Guar provides fast-acting relief by creating a temporary shield to lock in moisture.
Systane® Ultra Hydration Preservative Free contains hyaluronate for advanced hydration which quickly hydrates the eyes and helps provide long lasting relief.
Both Systane® Ultra Preservative Free formulas help reduce contact lens wear discomfort.
Choosing a Preservative Free Eye Drop Medication.
Ontario optometry guidelines favour the use of preservative free eye drops, if you're using the product more than four times a day.1
Brands like hydraSense® Eye Drops use an innovative in-bottle filter that allows them to be both multi-dose and preservative free.
- Fast acting dry eye relief
- Last up to 12 months after opening
- Can be used with contact lenses
1.Prokopich CL 2014 76[Suppl. 1]:S1-S32.
Establishing a lid hygiene routine.
Lid hygiene is an important part of eye care and can help with dry eye management.2
Using hypoallergenic lid wipes daily is best practice to help reduce harmful bacteria. Systane® Lid Wipes gently remove oily residue and debris around the eyelid and lash area to help maintain good eyelid hygiene.
2. 416 [Jones 2017, p36A]
Omega-3 supplements can improve the signs and symptoms of dry eye.
Omega-3 is essential to human health. It reduces inflammation, increases tear production, and helps restore the lipid (oily) layer of the eye’s tear film.4
In addition to relieving dry eye symptoms, Systane® Omega-3 Supplements also help to:
- Maintain good overall health
- Maintain and support cardiovascular health
- Support cognitive health and brain function
3. Jones 2017, p28A, p30A
4. Roncone 2010, p52A,B, 53A
Pink Eye, Red Eye and Allergies.
Pink Eye is inflammation of the transparent membrane that lines your eyelid and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or allergies. Choose a product like POLYSPORIN® Eye & Ear Drops.
Red Eye is caused by multiple conditions such as dryness, lack of sleep, being around smoke or other irritants. It is temporary, yet irritating. Choose a product like Vanguard PharmacyTM Red Eye.
Allergies are a reaction to environmental elements and can be seasonal, or year long. Choose a product like Vanguard PharmacyTM Allergy Eye.
Different drops treat different symptoms, so it is important to find the right drop for your needs.
Symptoms of Bacterial Pink Eye
- Redness in the white of the eyes.
- Watery Eyes.
- Itch or gritty feeling in the eye.
- Thick and yellow-white discharge from the eye.
Help treat bacterial Pink Eye with these tips
- Get fast relief with an antibiotic eye drop without a prescription by using an effective treatment such as POLYSPORIN® Eye and Ear Drops.*
- Apply one to two drops in the infected eye, four times a day for 7 to 10 days. Before use, read package label for important information on dosing and cautions.
- Wash hands frequently and avoid touching the infected eye.
*To be sure POLYSPORIN® Eye and Ear Drops is right for you or your children, always read and follow the label.
Contact lens care matters.
Poor lens care can result in discomfort, reduced sharpness in vision, and infection risk.
Choose the right solution for you.
- Multi-Purpose Cleaning and Disinfecting Solutions like Opti-Free® PureMoist® Solution thoroughly cleans and disinfects.
- Peroxide Solutions like Clear Care® Plus Cleaning & Disinfecting Solution cleans, disinfects and enhances protein removal without the preservatives found in multipurpose solutions.
What is Age-related Macular Degeneration?
AMD affects the part of the eye that helps you see fine details; and is the leading cause of permanent vision loss in people over age 50.
Slowing its progression.
The National Eye Institute found that specific high doses of certain vitamins and minerals may delay the progression of AMD5, and help protect your vision.
Vanguard Pharmacy has a variety of ocular vitamin formulations. Find the one that is right for you.
5. AREDS2 study conducted by the National Eye Institute
Because your eyes are everything.
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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the macula, a tiny area at the centre of your retina responsible for detailed central vision.
PreserVision® Eye Vitamin and Mineral Supplement AREDS 2 Formula
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Contains vitamins and minerals essential to eye health
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Helps maintain eyesight in conditions associated with AMD
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Comes in a small, smooth, easy-to-swallow soft gel
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Pink Eye, Red Eye and Allergies.
Pink Eye is inflammation of the transparent membrane that lines your eyelid and can be caused by viruses, infections or other irritants. Choose a product like Polysporin® Pink Eye.
Red Eye is caused by tiredness, dryness, or being around smoke. It is temporary, yet irritating. Choose a product like Vanguard Pharmacy® Red Eye.
Allergies are a reaction to natural elements and can be seasonal, or year long. Choose a product like Vanguard Pharmacy® Allergy Eye.
Different drops treat different symptoms, so it is important to find the right drop for your needs.
Your Fave Eye Care Brands
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Dry eye is a condition caused by reduced production or increased evaporation of tears, which leads to eye irritation.
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- Computer use – When working at a computer or using a smartphone or other portable digital device, we tend to blink our eyes less fully and less frequently. This leads to greater tear evaporation and increased risk of dry eye symptoms.
- Health conditions – Certain diseases such as diabetes, thyroid-associated conditions, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and others can contribute to dry eye problems.
- Medications – Many prescription and nonprescription medicines increase the risk of dry eye symptoms, including antihistamines, antidepressants, certain blood pressure medications such as beta-blockers or diuretics and birth control pills.
- Allergies – Allergies can cause dry eye, taking antihistamines to relieve allergies can also cause dry eye.
- Use of Contact lenses
- Aging – becomes more common as you age, especially after age 50.
- Menopause – Post-menopausal women are at greater risk of dry eye than men of the same age.
- Indoor environment – Air conditioning, ceiling fans and forced air heating systems all can decrease indoor humidity. This can hasten tear evaporation, causing dry eye symptoms.
- Outdoor environment – Dry climates, high altitudes and dry or windy conditions increase dry eye risks.
- Air travel – The air in the cabins of airplanes is extremely dry and can lead to dry eye problems, especially among frequent flyers.
- Wearing a mask – Many masks, can dry the eyes by forcing air out the top of the mask and over the surface of the eye. Wearing glasses with a mask can direct the air over the eyes even more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Fave Eye Care Brands
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What is Age-related Macular Degeneration?
AMD affects the part of the eye that helps you see fine details; and is the leading cause of permanent vision loss in people over age 50.
Slowing its progression.
The National Eye Institute found that specific high doses of certain vitamins and minerals may delay the progression of AMD5, and help protect your vision.
Vanguard Pharmacy has a variety of ocular vitamin formulations. Find the one that is right for you.
References:
- Prokopich CL 2014 76[Suppl. 1];S1-S32
- 416 [Jones 2017, p36A]
- Jones 2017, p28A, p30A
- Roncone 2010, p52A,B, 53A
- AREDS2 study conducted by the National Eye Institute
Disclaimer:
THIS PAGE IS NOT INTENDED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING MEDICAL ADVICE.
This page is for information purposes only. This booklet does not provide specific medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this booklet. Reliance on any information in this booklet is at your sole risk, and neither Clorox nor Vanguard Pharmacy is responsible or liable for any information, products or resources that you obtain through this booklet.